By Jacqueline Hlavenka
It’s that time of year again-members of Student Government Association are gearing up for election season, looking to improve upon campus issues like academic affairs, appropriations and student services for its upcoming 2007 election, though the majority of candidates are running unopposed.
With the polls opening in late April, students and current SGA members gathered on the 10th floor of the Axinn Library Wednesday during common hour for a general meeting about the upcoming election for president, vice president, justices and senators on April 25 through the 26, held by the current election commission. For first-time members, any full-time undergraduate student can serve as a delegate-however, students running for senate must obtain 50 signatures of full-time undergraduate students in order to appear on the ballot. Only three justices will be appointed.
“There are 29 people wanting to run for senator that have already talked to me, and I’ve heard more freshmen might be interested, so that could bring us up to 30 to 35 senators in the running this year,” said Lisa Giunta, chairwoman of the elections commission.
With a significant turnout, a long line wrapped around the elections commission table with students planning on running for justice and senator positions, picking up required material to campaign-complete with important dates, campaigning rules and the official election form needed for signatures. After receiving packets, candidates began to ask for signatures within the event, and are later required to verbally inform the public of what they are running for, why they are campaigning and where they stand on campus issues and policy. Students who sign the forms must provide their full name, last four digits of their student ID number, signature and date.
“All senators must have all requirements complete and must have all 50 signatures. It’s recommended to get at least 75, because sometimes certain 700 numbers do not work or qualify,” said Sammi Rozakis, senior spirit chair of the elections commission.
The event was publicized by sending out Facebook messages to current members, placing flyers in resident assistant and student club mailboxes, with additional broadcasts on the daily HofCast, encouraging new members. All signature forms must be submitted to the election commission chairwoman by 6 p.m. on March 28 in the SGA office, Student Center room 207, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Incomplete or late sheets will not be accepted.
After spring break, students are can start campaigning on April 10 throughout the day, and the first presidential debate will occur on Tuesday April 11 at 6:30 p.m., with only two candidates thus far-current president Pete DiSilvio and vice president Russell Akiyama. The DiSilvio/Akiyama “team” is currently unopposed, but vow an even stronger campaign than ever before.
“The goal is to campaign just as hard even if we had five other contenders. This will be our biggest mandate yet,” said DiSilvio.
When DiSilvio initially ran, he campaigned with vice president candidate Simon Duncunson, gaining 751 votes-while Russell Akiyama and Nathan Yadgar had approximately 400 votes. DiSilvio and Akiyama used to joke about “combining” their numbers to gain over 1,000 student voters-and that dream, became a reality.
“This is the second year Democrats will run this office,” said Akiyama, standing with President Pete DiSilvio in front of the elections commission table. DiSilvio also encouraged prospective senators to come “hang out” in the SGA office if they have questions or concerns about campaigning.
“I can talk for hours about SGA and SGA history, and we want to be here to help you,” said DiSilvio.
However, certain prospective senators already have a plan for success.
“I’m going to walk up and down the stairs of Vander Poel and Bits & Bytes and get my signatures,” said sophomore Elyse Emmerling, re-running for senate. “As for improving SGA, the only thing that comes to mind immediately is the legislation passed last night that could be tricky.”
The previous night, an amendment was passed allowing a five-sixths vote among senators present to pass amendments to the SGA constitution, instead of the standard two-thirds vote normally practiced.
Others wish for more structural changes within SGA to improve relations between members.
“The shady dealings have to go. The whole Matt Bisanz thing-I want to strive for a more honest senate,” said freshman, Carlos Cruz, who is re-running for senate. Cruz was refering to the impeachment of an SGA judicial panel member, which shook the student government last semester.Voting will begin on Wednesday April 25 at 12:45 p.m. via Blackboard, and polls will close on April 26 at 5 p.m.
Student Government Association President Pete DiSilvio and Vice President Russell Akiyama recieve presidential campaign paperwork from the elections commission. They are running unopposed.